As Boston Blue approaches its first mid-season finale, star Sonequa Martin-Green is opening up about what drew her to CBS’ newest police drama — and why the show’s family dynamic makes it feel different from traditional crime procedurals. Martin-Green, best known for The Walking Dead and Star Trek: Discovery, plays Detective Lena Silver opposite Donnie Wahlberg’s returning character Danny Reagan, who moved from New York to Boston after his son was injured in a fire. The series serves as a spin-off of the long-running fan favorite Blue Bloods.
Family at the Heart of the Series
Speaking during a recent panel in New York City, Martin-Green said the opportunity to balance action with emotional storytelling convinced her to take the role.
“There were many things that pulled me into this. I appreciate what is at the heart of the show,” she said. “Faith, family and tradition. It’s what was always at the center of Blue Bloods and why it forged its place in TV history.”
Instead of focusing solely on case-solving, Boston Blue follows Lena’s relationships with loved ones, including her blended multi-faith family. Martin-Green said she hopes viewers connect with that nuance.
“My heart pitter-patters for such things,” she added. “I want to tell purer stories, and I do believe that Boston Blue does that.”
A New Partnership for Wahlberg
Martin-Green also praised Wahlberg, calling him a joy to work with.
“I really love Donnie… being able to meet him and be fast friends,” she said. “Seeing Danny Reagan continue to grow and change, and be in this new city with this new family, is really exciting to me.”
The show reunites Wahlberg with a family dynamic similar to the dinner scenes beloved by Blue Bloods fans. Martin-Green says the cast has formed a genuine bond, which she believes will resonate onscreen.
A Deep Ensemble and Shared Themes
The cast features Gloria Reuben, Ernie Hudson, Maggie Lawson, and Marcus Scribner in key roles as members of Lena’s extended family. Their characters share a complicated history shaped by loss, faith and blended connections — themes Martin-Green said the writers approach with care.
“It’s a truly blended family,” she explained, noting that when the show begins, the family is still mourning Ben, her late stepfather.
Reuben and Martin-Green also recently played mother and daughter in My Dead Friend Zoe, and she called being reunited on Boston Blue “phenomenal.”
A Mid-Season Finale and Fresh Momentum
As the freshman season returns with new episodes in February, Martin-Green believes the show is only beginning to explore its emotional depth.
“What you see at the Shabbat dinners and what you’ll continue to see is that we really love each other,” she said. “I love what we’re building.”
